The South Korean government told foreign diplomats here Monday that the MERS outbreak in the nation is effectively over and it's safe for travel.

The Foreign Ministry held another briefing for the diplomatic corps in Seoul about the country's handling of the viral respiratory illness.

It pointed out that no new MERS infections have been reported for more than two weeks in South Korea.

"My conclusion is that we are safe from MERS in Korea, everywhere in Korea, and that MERS in Korea is now coming to an end. Many specialists say MERS in Korea is already virtually over,"

Deputy Minister for Overseas Koreans Lee Key-cheol said during the session held in the ministry building. "I believe it is the right time for Korea and the international community to make a concerted effort to normalize people-to-people exchange."